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Running on "E"

Here's master man at work, looking quite serious in case anyone walks by. Actually, I'm messing with my email while getting ready to post this blog. It's that or a cluster analysis of ultradistance athletes for a conference I'm presenting at. For this time and moment, I'm going with the blog.

What stage of endurance sport are you experiencing? Fully engaged, or barely hanging on to the identity? It does seem to ebb and tide over the years. Heard a great podcast on Dirt Dawg's Running Diatribe, where he discussed "Running on E", where E = emotion. That's what has driven him over the past 20+ years, channeling emotion into the effort.

Can you think of another athlete who has done well with "Running on E?" I'd call out Lance Armstrong, who had a rough childhood with numerous step-dads. Lance many times dealt with the "E" of anger and pushed it through his body to top performances.

I emailed Mike (aka Dirt Dawg) and expressed my support for his "E" plan. Let him know that my 28 years in the sport have been based on "Running on R"....for random. I enjoy NOT having plan, letting things unfold each morning as I head to the gym or out for a jog. No real goals or models to follow. Just let it happen. Bike rides on weekends and evenings (in summer months) are fairly regular, but the intensity and effort aren't. Some days I spin hard and run with the lead pack, on other days I melt off the back and am fine with it.

What letter represents the basis for your longevity in endurance sport? It's fun to examine the essence of our being.

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(Disclaimer: I am a Brooks-supported athlete; as part of that relationship, I was provided a complimentary copy of "Eat & Run")

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It's a fast, enjoyable read. I've been around the ultra scene for a long time and have known some of the greats, i.e. ultra champ Eric Clifton. So it's always interesting to see how the world looks from another icon's point of view.

My thoughts in no particular order:

1) I've been vegetarian/borderline vegan for 12 years and have always been concerned with protein intake. Jurek advocates for the protein he naturally induces through his plant-based diet. Maybe that is enough. Maybe it's not necessary to bang down 100+ grams of protein supplement every day. Good info and good advice.

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There's another reason I haven't been posting. My endurance spirit is broken.

Some medical issues, some sadness is loss of speed. I don't have much range left in my pulse rate and I have put on a blob of weight.

I "ran" my 10 mile loop this morning...in 2:18. Is that ugly, or what? An overall fatigue follows the run. I remember a few years ago, I'd bang it out in straight 9's for a 1:30 - and at that time had a long section of medium effort trail included, too.

It's the new normal. It's age appropriate. I'll be 59 in two weeks. Let's get real.

Rode my mountain bike Sunday after church. Don't know what I hit but I went…

You have to look closely (click and enlarge photo if needed), but when you do, check out the 5th metacarpal (bone furthest from thumb).

The diagonal break is symbolic of what happens when your mountain bike handlebars snap around 360 degrees, and those bars catch your hand against the bike frame during the rotation.

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